One-way Clutch Or Brake Patents (Class 475/259)
  • Patent number: 11072203
    Abstract: Example bicycle sprocket assemblies are described herein. An example sprocket assembly includes a cassette formed by a plurality of sprockets arranged in increasing diameter order from a first end to a second end of the cassette opposite the first end. The cassette has a passageway extending between a first opening in the first end and a second opening in the second end to receive a driver hub. An outboard portion of the passageway is formed between a midpoint of the cassette and the first end of the cassette. The cassette further includes a torque transmitting profile located within the outboard portion of the passageway to interface with the driver hub. The sprocket assembly also includes a bushing to be disposed within the second opening to form a non-torque transmitting interface between the second end of the cassette and the driver hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Bots, Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 10900374
    Abstract: A power extraction system is provided and includes a low-pressure spool of a gas turbine engine, the low-pressure spool being rotatable at an input rotational speed between a first minimum speed and a first maximum speed, downstream components rotatable at an output rotational speed between a second minimum speed and a second maximum speed and a transmission assembly by which rotations of the low-pressure spool at the input rotational speed are transmittable at the output rotational speed to the downstream components. The transmission assembly includes clutches and a controller configured to control openings and closings of the clutches according to an upshifting algorithm whereby a torque applied by the downstream components is used to reduce the output rotational speed to an output speed of a gear into which the transmission assembly is shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron M. Finke, Stephen Michael Bortoli, Jonathan C. Dell
  • Patent number: 9279480
    Abstract: A robust and reliable multi-speed gear system for use on pedally or other manually propelled vehicles, comprising simple epicyclical sections 82, 83, 23 in a complex structure, an internal axial tunnel enabling use of a detachable, vertical shear force load carrying through-bolt 15, a rotatable shift axle 25, a main shaft 7 non-rotatably mounted to the vehicle frame 10, axially floating shift mechanisms 20, 22, 65, and a hub shell 1 fully enclosing the gear mechanisms. The multispeed hub is robust, light, easily manufactured, offers many speeds and great gear width, and is rigidly securable to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CA TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Christian Antal, Knut Tore Ljøsne
  • Patent number: 9182024
    Abstract: A multi-stage transmission having more stages using planetary gear sets and employing a forced return means for achieving smooth shifting in a forward operation by acceleration manipulation and a reverse operation by deceleration manipulation is provided. The multi-stage transmission includes a shaft with both ends fixed, a sprocket for receiving a rotational force and a hub shell for outputting the rotational force; a shifting unit comprising one-way clutches and planetary gear sets, each of planetary gear sets being composed of a sun gear, planetary gears, a carrier and a ring gear provided within the hub shell to change the rotational force input through the sprocket and to output the changed rotational force to the hub shell; and a control unit for controlling shifting by controlling pawls provided on the shaft according to manipulation of a shift lever to selectively restrict rotation of the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: MBI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyuk Yoo, Tae-Jin Jung, Seong-Cheol An
  • Patent number: 8876650
    Abstract: A transmission assembly is provided and includes a load, an input shaft rotatably driven by a low pressure section of a turbomachine and a transmission coupled to the load and the input shaft. The transmission is operable to transmit rotation of the input shaft to the load and configured to convert a first rotational speed range of the input shaft to a second rotational speed range for transmission to the load. The second rotational speed range is narrower than the first rotational speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8298122
    Abstract: A method for controlling brakes of an automatic transmission including a first brake arranged in parallel with an overrunning brake between a planet pinion carrier and a housing, includes using the overrunning brake to provide brake torque equal to or less than a reference brake torque under positive torque conditions, increasing a torque capacity of the first brake when brake torque is greater than the reference brake torque, and fully engaging the first brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Charles W. Suter, Bradley R. Heuver, Brad W. Probert, Kenneth L. Nowaczyk
  • Publication number: 20120100953
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission module is provided that can passively and automatically upshift and downshift between two speed ratios, even if the speed of the output member does not decrease. The transmission module includes a planetary gear set. A torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to connect the two members of the planetary gear set for common rotation. A centripetal member is configured to apply a first axial force urging engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism. The first axial force increases as the speed of the output member increases. A torque-to-thrust actuator, such as a ball screw actuator, is connected for rotation with the input member and is configured to apply a second axial force opposing engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Andrew W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8033945
    Abstract: An enclosed bicycle drivetrain is provided that produces a range of drive ratios suitable for any riding purpose. The enclosure of substantially the entire drivetrain is made practical by the synergistic cooperation of a planetary drive system using a single chain ring and a streamlined rear derailleur system that separates the tensioning and chain guiding functions of a conventional rear derailleur, allowing the rear derailleur components to remain substantially within the shadow of the outer perimeter of the bicycle frame. The planetary drive system is provided with a unique compound pawl that may be easily disengaged from a planetary ratchet member under full riding loads by the application of a small force to destabilize the pawl. A unique shift buffer mechanism cooperates with the rear derailleur system to buffer and store up to the full range of available shift commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Patterson Bicycle Transmission, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Patterson
  • Patent number: 7874955
    Abstract: An enclosed bicycle drivetrain is provided that produces a range of drive ratios suitable for any riding purpose. The enclosure of substantially the entire drivetrain is made practical by the synergistic cooperation of a planetary drive system using a single chain ring and a streamlined rear derailleur system that separates the tensioning and chain guiding functions of a conventional rear derailleur, allowing the rear derailleur components to remain substantially within the shadow of the outer perimeter of the bicycle frame. The planetary drive system is provided with a unique compound pawl that may be easily disengaged from a planetary ratchet member under full riding loads by the application of a small force to destabilize the pawl. A unique shift buffer mechanism cooperates with the rear derailleur system to buffer and store up to the full range of available shift commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Patterson Bicycle Transmission, LLC
    Inventor: Sam Harwell Patterson
  • Patent number: 7815539
    Abstract: A planetary transmission comprising an input member, an output member, a planetary gear assembly mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a centrifugal clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a one-way clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, the one-way clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from zero rotational speed up to a first rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from a second rotational speed greater than zero rotational speed to a third rotational speed which is in excess of the first rotational speed, and a brake member for selectively controlling rotation of the planetary gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Ward, Alexander Serkh, Corrado Iotti
  • Publication number: 20090215577
    Abstract: A planetary transmission comprising an input member, an output member, a planetary gear assembly mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a centrifugal clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, a one-way clutch mechanically disposed between the input member and the output member, the one-way clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from zero rotational speed up to a first rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch for directly coupling the input member and the output member from a second rotational speed greater than zero rotational speed to a third rotational speed which is in excess of the first rotational speed, and a brake member for selectively controlling rotation of the planetary gear assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Peter Ward, Alexander Serkh, Corrado Iotti
  • Patent number: 6582333
    Abstract: The power train of a motor vehicle has an engine which normally drives the wheels and can be started by an electric motor which acts as a generator once the engine is started. The torque transmitting connection between the crankshaft of the engine and a shaft of the motor includes a planetary and one or more freewheels of the type employing an elongated belt surrounding a rotary part and being surrounded by the internal surface of a hollow part. The belt or belts can be urged into or released from frictional engagement with one of the adjacent surfaces by centrifugal force and/or by an electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Laszlo Man, Rene Daikeler
  • Patent number: 6165096
    Abstract: A self-shifting transmission apparatus having a rotational drive and a rotational output spindle. A first transmission gear and an overrunning clutch are rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. A centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected in series between the rotational drive and the rotational output spindle. The centrifugal clutch is rotatably connected to a shaft which rotates in the overrunning clutch such that upon the drive rotating at and above a predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch engages to rotate the output spindle while rotating the shaft to overrun within the overrunning clutch. Upon the drive rotating below the predetermined rotational speed, the centrifugal clutch disengages thereby permitting the overrunning clutch to engage the shaft and rotate the output spindle through the first transmission gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Warren A. Seith
  • Patent number: 6013005
    Abstract: A bicycle hub transmission includes a hub axle, a driver rotatably mounted to the hub axle, a slave rotatably mounted to the hub axle, a power transmitting mechanism disposed between the driver and the slave for changing a rotational speed of the driver and for communicating rotational power from the driver to the slave, a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the slave and the driver, and a clutch switching mechanism for controlling the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Koshi Tabe
  • Patent number: 6010425
    Abstract: A bicycle hub transmission includes a hub axle, a driver rotatably mounted to the hub axle, a slave rotatably mounted to the hub axle, a power transmitting mechanism disposed between the driver and the slave for changing a rotational speed of the driver and for communicating rotational power from the driver to the slave, a clutch mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the slave and the driver, and a clutch switching mechanism for controlling the operation of the clutch. The clutch switching mechanism includes an elongated weight member having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end pivots radially outwardly around the first end in response to centrifugal force created by rotation of the weight member around the hub axle. A control member is operatively coupled to the clutch mechanism and is rotatable about the hub axle between an engaging position for causing the clutch to engage the driver and the slave and a disengaging position for disengaging the driver and the slave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Koshi Tabe
  • Patent number: 6004240
    Abstract: A bicycle hub transmission includes a hub axle, a driver rotatably mounted to the hub axle, and a slave rotatably mounted to the hub axle. The driver includes a first driving member and a second driving member axially aligned with the first driving member and nonrotatably coupled to the first driving member, wherein the slave is at least partially disposed within the second driving member. At least one of the first driving member and the second driving member define a housing space, and a power transmitting mechanism is disposed at least partially in the housing space for changing a rotational speed of the driver and for communicating rotational power from the driver to the slave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Koshi Tabe
  • Patent number: 5655984
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus in which a differential-type transmission device has rotating elements with intermeshing teeth, one of which elements is connected to an input shaft and the other to an output shaft. One of the rotating elements is a reaction element, and the transmission apparatus has a selective locking mechanism mounted operatively between the reaction element and a housing of the transmission apparatus. The selective locking mechanism has a free-wheel for enabling the reaction element to rotate in the same direction as the input shaft and the output shaft when a selective connection device connects the rotating elements of said differential mechanism in order to cause direct drive operation. When the freewheel is locked, the reaction element is integral in rotation with a rotor of a brake which is able to be selectively released in order to release the rotor and the reaction element in relation to said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Antonov Automotive Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Roumen Antonov
  • Patent number: 5151067
    Abstract: A fully automatic transmission system for a vehicle eliminates the use of hydraulic or electromagnetic valves to control speed change, and instead utilizes clutches to change shift and disconnect power transmission, to minimize power consumption during idle shift, and to prevent slipping of the vehicle during climb on an upgrade, respectively, when no power is transmitted to the vehicle wheels, and without the need to brake the vehicle. When the revolving speed of the vehicle engine is slower that that of the transmission shaft, idle rotation of the system's clutch lining connector is automatically prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Huong
  • Patent number: 5083991
    Abstract: An automatic speed-variating system includes: a first speed-variating device formed on a driving rotating device such as a bike pedal and its driving chain sprocket having a first planetary gear system and a ratchet wheel for preliminarily manually variating a speed of the driving rotating device, and a second speed-variating device formed on a follower rotating device such as a follower chain sprocket formed on a bike rear wheel driven by the driving rotating device having at least a second planetary gear system operatively engageable with the follower chain sprocket by at least a centrifugal coupling for automatically variating a speed of the follower rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Chung-Chieh Yang
  • Patent number: 5011464
    Abstract: A two-speed centrifugally shifted automatic transmission provides an overdrive output shaft rotational speed that may be three times the rotational speed of the input shaft (12). A shift point at a partial speed may provide a direct drive through an overrunning clutch (33). A spline mounted shift engagement ring (46) is adapted to slide axially within housing (10) to restrain planet carrier ring (36) from rotating at start-up. After reaching a predetermined input shaft rotational speed, the shift engagement ring (46) moves to its extreme left position (FIG. 1), thereby allowing the planet carrier ring (36) to rotate and the rotational speed of the output shaft (14) to be driven by the overrunning clutch (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. White
  • Patent number: 4991473
    Abstract: A driver with automatic speed and torque switching including two different drive trains which operate in parallel and are driven at the same time by a motor. One drive train provides a high-speed output while the other provides a low-speed output. A single drive head for transmitting torque to the nut is normally coupled to the high-speed output, and not to the low-speed output. The machine operates initially at the high speed for the "free rotation" of the nut. When the nut contacts the surface of the structural body, the drive coupling to the high-speed output is disabled, and the low-speed output (which formerly was not coupled to the drive head) is not at the same time coupled to the drive head. The nut is then driven much more slowly but with a higher driving torque. Within the low-speed drive train there is included a friction clutch, and adjustement means for adjusting the level of torque at which it will slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Franklin S. Sax
    Inventor: Alexander Gotman